Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-09-24
NORTH DAKOTA FAIR.
A Great Exhlbition-The Poole
Eckles Race.


North Dakota's first annual fair will |
close at Grand Forks today. In point !
of display it has been the most success
full fair ever held in the territory; tho
attendance, however, has not been sufn-
Gently large to justify tho elaborate en-
tertainment proyidod by the board of
managers. Tho reason of this is that tho |
farmers are busy with their wheat and
could not attend, Another thing, tho
weather was not pleasant, and II great
many timid or delicate persons remained
at home rather than face tho blasts of cold
wind and clouds Of dust which swept
over the valley tho three first days of the
fair.
The exhibit of live stock was very
large. Thoroughbred cattle were there
from Brantfort, Ontario, Oshkosh, Wis,
Cresco, Iowa and various points in
Minnesota, while all leading Dakota
herds were represented. There was also
Il magnificent array of horses of all va
rioties. There were swine and sheep OF
excellent bloods, until tho great strct cll
| of stalls mile in length was filled.
In tho pavillions and art gallery was
gathered IL vast display Of everything,
from threshing machine to the finest
oil painting; large vegetables and crazy
| quilts; cook stoves and Soal skin sacks;
washing machines and grand pianos.
| \. G. Requa OF this city exhibited a case
Of buffalo horns and n pickcled 'dcvil
/ S:,l nj nj nc
chickens raised by II. c. Saunders of this
city took the first prize in the poultry de-
partinent.
The races were uncvcntful. There
were some good horses on the track, but
tho jockeys had it all their own way, as
usual.
Thursday there were fully 1000 pco-
pie on the grounds to SEQ tho
great equestrian contest between
Miss Ecklos, the professional rider,
and Miss Villa Poole of Mouse river.
Miss Echels had five of her own horses,
we'll trained and very speedy; Miss
Poole had strange horses that had not
been trained. There was a great deal of
awkward work in the changes. Twenty
five men attempting to help tho Dakota
girl along simply impcded her progress.
Taking very fair start, the two ladies
rode side and side Il little ways, and then
Miss Poole drew away so that at the end
of tho first mile she was 200 yards ahead.
Her second change was bungling, but
she held the lead up to 22 miles. when
Miss Echels passed her On the sixth lap
the crowd stopped her horse for the
: change Apnd then started her without
making the change. On the thirteenth
lap Miss Echels was a quarter ahead,
The riders held their own until the nine
teenth lap, when fractiOus black mare
threw herself fiat during change, Miss
Poole falling on the track, but without
injury. She was OH her feet in an instant
and was on the mares back and away like
flash. The accident threw her behind
and Miss Echels gained ground constant.
ly, winning the race by nearly one lap o.
T. halfa mile. The enthusiasm was intense
!, throughout the contest. Men threw
their hats into the air and shouted
ladies in the grand stand arose to their
( feet waving their handkerchiefs and
g parasols. At the close of the race Sl5t
: was raised and presented to Miss Poole
before she had time to put up her long
black hair which came down when tl'
\ fractious mare fell with her.
g Gov. Church, Auditor Ward, Attorney
General Tcmplcton, Secretary McCor
mick, Gen. Tynor, Major Barrett ant
other notable persons were OH the grount
Coy. Church made a brief speech setting
3 forth the wonders of Dakota and adyO
eating admission.
The territorial board have ccrtainl,
C accomplished wonders in fitting up tn
. exposition grounds. The arrangement:
were very complete.